Twelve Stones - Lesson 7 - Humility

Joshua 4:21-22, ‘…When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know…’

The Lord has taken us from captivity and allowed us to enter His Promised Land. We have been in turn handed the awesome responsibility of walking differently of loving differently and teaching differently. Have we forgotten where we came from? Have we forgotten where we are going? Let’s not forget our foundation and let’s certainly not forget to pass the torch to the next generation.


Some synonyms for the word humility:
Humbleness, modesty, unassuming nature and meekness.

The opposite of humility is arrogance.
Some synonyms for the opposite of humility:
Conceit, haughtiness, egotism, superiority, pride, overconfidence,
superciliousness and self-importance.

I grew up with a low self-esteem.
I wasn’t humble; I was just shy and overly self-conscious.
I didn’t want my children to be that way.
I wanted them to have confidence and self esteem.
Do we loose our humility when we go in that direction?

Any opening thoughts on humility?





Are we trying to please the world or the Lord?
We know the answer to that question,
but I think we sometimes care too much about what the world thinks.
Or what those around us think.

Proverbs 16:19, ‘Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.’

Your thoughts on this verse…





I believe we have been around someone who was too proud and overbearing.
Maybe we were like that at one time.

There are those that think they gain respect by lifting themselves above their rank,
by talking big, by appearing as something they are not,
and applauding themselves and tooting their own horn.

They will eventually expose themselves for who they are,
possibly losing their reputation,
and they will certainly provoke God.

Proverbs 29:23, ‘A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.’

We know the wrong spirit of pride is detrimental.
What can we learn about a spirit of humility?





Have you ever been in a store with your child and they started to wander off?
Then have you ever hid so they thought they were lost?
What was their reaction?

We are children in the eyes of the Lord.
Do we act that same way or do we by our actions say, ‘I don’t need you?’

Matthew 18:4, ‘Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’

How can we be more like children in this regard?





Micah 6:8, ‘He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?’

The purpose of these lessons is primarily so we can grow in these areas.
And secondly learn these lessons so we can pass them on to the next generation.

‘To walk humbly with thy God,’
How can we better do that?





Christ is to be our example of humility.
I think we are often looking too hard for God’s plan for our life.
The major triumph we will be remembered for.
This next verse tells us what we are to do.

Matthew 11:29, ‘Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’

‘And learn of me…’
When I was studying this lesson I realized
I have to stop reading the scriptures to gain wisdom,
and understand what the Lord is telling me and has planned for me.

I have to read to learn more about Jesus
and to better understand the nature of God.

Can you elaborate on this verse?





Philippians 2:5-8, ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’

We don’t like the word obedient.
They even took it out of the wedding vows.
It doesn’t say, ‘Love, honor and obey’ anymore.
Now it says. ‘Love, honor and cherish.’

What can we learn from these verses and incorporate into our lives?





Our prayers are certainly heard by God.
He knows our heart regardless of the words we say.

Psalm 9:12, ‘When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.’

When we are being attacked it seems like he doesn’t hear our cries.
What are your thoughts here?





We hear people say,
‘You might as well toot your own horn, no one else will.’

I heard a better saying that goes,
‘If you are good you don’t have to brag, others will brag for you.’

James 4:10, ‘Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.’

Your thoughts here…





If we don’t humble not ourselves under God's grace,
I believe He will humble us under his judgments and possibly chastisement.

1Peter 5:6, ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:’

Maybe in due time won’t be on this planet.
Closing thoughts?





Additional Thoughts...

It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. -St. Augustine



True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us. –Edwards



After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser. –Franklin



Those that are truly desirous to be owned and accepted by God will likewise desire not to be taken notice of nor applauded by men. –Henry



Don't let us think that we need to be "stars" in order to shine. It was by the ministry of a candle that the woman recovered her lost piece of silver. –Jowett








The proud man counts his newspaper clippings-the humble his blessings. –Sheen



Humility is strong-not bold; quiet-not speechless; sure-not arrogant. -Smith


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